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Commissioners Support Clean Beaches Week June 29-July 5
Jul 2, 2007 For Immediate Release: Don't Get Trashed at the Beach This Independence Day Fort Myers, FL – Although many Lee County residents and visiting beachgoers will be looking to the sky this July 4, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners and the Clean Beaches Council (CBC) are encouraging them to take a moment and look down at the mounds of trash collecting around their feet. As part of the fourth annual National Clean Beaches Week, June 29-July 5, Lee County is working with the council to raise awareness of the threats facing our beaches and to increase public responsibility and stewardship of public beaches around the country. "We have beautiful white sand beaches that stretch as far as you can see and sandy shores that are lined with exotic seashells and we want to keep it that way," says Commissioner Bob Janes, Chair of the Lee County Board of County Commissioners. With some 180 million people visiting the U.S. coast each year and more than half of the total U.S. population now living in a coastal county (more than at any time in our nation's history), beach litter is a growing problem. Litter can harm marine life, coral reefs, recreational and commercial vessels, as well as people. Clean Beaches Council estimates that in 2006 alone, more than 390 pounds of litter was collected per mile of coastline during a yearly coastal clean up sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy. "It's time we take responsibility for the mess we are making, instead of expecting someone to clean it up," says Walter McLeod, President of Clean Beaches Council. "Let's make sure this July 4th all we leave behind on the beach are our footprints." Lee County and The Clean Beaches Council (CBC) highlights four themes during National Clean Beaches Week: environment, travel, recreation and fitness, and healthy seafood. CBC has developed innovative approaches to coastal management and protection of human health and the environment. CBC's flagship program is the Blue Wave Campaign – America's first environmental certification program for beaches. For more information, visit www.cleanbeaches.org.
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